Peace leaders Man Hee Lee and Kim Nam Hee were welcomed aboard the SS Lane Victory by a large crowd. The name of the boat is particularly fitting as Chairman Lee is paving the road to victory for peace. It is great that a military ship was transformed into a platform of peace instead of war.
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.
MANNAM's Chairman, Lee Man Hee, believes in peace and is working at it. As Reagan states, free people prefer peace. Mr. Lee is making this a reality. It is great to see what he is doing around the world for peace.
The theme of the 5th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival is Peace, Life and Communication of DMZ. The festival is held in Goyang city - Lafesta (Lotte Cinema, Special Stage), Lake park. Almost 120 films from thirty-eight countries will be shown. The festival started last Thursday (17 Oct.) and ends on Wednesday (23 Oct.). The festival includes various events. Tomorrow, for example, there is a bicycle tour, a modern rock concert, and a venue at which people can view documentaries with their animals. For more information check the following website:http://www.dmzdocs.com/eng/main/main.asp
2012 DMZ Documentary Film Festival
While you are at the DMZ, I strongly encourage you to also visit the Declaration of Unification. This is a powerful and beautiful declaration written by Man Hee Lee and inscribed into the stone shown below. (The English translation is below the picture in blue.) As the Declaration encompasses all the themes of this year's festival and more, seeing it in person would very meaningful and worthwhile.
Declaration of Unification
This nation must be unified as it was before as an independent nation. Our forefathers who died for this country, and the Korean citizens of today never wished for this nation to be divided. Who divided our nation and established the 38th parallel?
When the Japanese emperor surrendered after WWII, our country became independent, but the U.S. entered the South, the Russians entered the North, and Korea was basically ruled by the military. Korean citizens were still able to cross back and forth from North to South. Later, the government of the Republic of Korea was established in the South and a communist government was established in the North, and the 38th parallel divided the two. People were no longer allowed to travel back and forth between the two countries.
Is this what those who died for this country and declared independence in the March 1st (1919) movement wanted? Is this what we, the citizens commemorating Independence Day today, want? The Korean Peninsula was divided because of the North’s barbaric invasion of the South which led to a fratricidal, and bloody war. Even today, we are still pointing guns at people of our own race. How can this be the will of our forefathers and the Korean people today?
Thirty-three people, who represent the citizens of the Republic of Korea, love the Korean Peninsula, and pray for its peace and unification, declare the following:
First, just like East and West Germany, the leaders of South and North Korea must gather to discuss unification for the sake of this country and its citizens.
Second, if our leaders truly love this nation and its citizens, they will work to establish a unified nation the citizens wish for and a country where people live happily in abundance. How can a nation which is divided stand with confidence in this world? The leaders of South and North Korea must ensure that the Korean Peninsula will not be shamed.
Third, we must all lay down our weapons and allow our citizens to travel freely throughout the Korean Peninsula.
Fourth, there must be religious freedom because religion is faith regarding the spiritual world. Religion is a spiritual pursuit, and as such, knows no national boundaries. People of religion must unite through the Scriptures for a religious unification.
By putting these suggestions into action, we can truly achieve world peace.
Maickel Melamed, a thirty-six year old Venezuelan with muscular dystrophy, completed the Chicago Marathon a few days ago.
The message he wants to share with people is, "If you dream it, make it happen."
How many people dream about (and even talk about) world peace? Let's make it happen. That is exactly what MANNAM is doing. Instead of just dreaming about peace, MANNAM has everything from cultural events to classes to service products to rallies to make peace happen.
Some people say world peace is impossible. Imagine how many people told this runner the same thing. Instead of focusing on what was "impossible," he strove to make it possible.
Man Hee Lee has taken the same approach to world peace. Instead of listening when people say it is impossible, Mr. Lee is making it happen.
For anyone unfamiliar with Harriet Tubman, she was responsible for The Underground Railroad, an underground passage from the slave states of the South to the slavery-free North.
I like this quote because it reminds me that people need to realize there is a problem before they can fix it. Many people accept something as normal and acceptable if they have lived with it their whole lives. This is certainly true about war.
I have heard Man Hee Lee, the Chairman of MANNAM, talk about how ridiculous it is for young men, who have no personal problem with each other, kill each other in the prime of their life. Mr. Lee challenges the youth of the world to agree not to go to war.
I hope many young people realize that they (and their brothers, husbands, sons, etc.) are slaves to a system of war that rarely helps any of the people fighting or their loved ones. But, my hopes don't end there. I also hope they will be freed from that system and be able to live in peace.
I am confident that Mr. Lee and MANNAM will lead us from the current situation into the time of peace.
Preparing and enjoying delicious food is one of the many ways MANNAM promotes peace.
Perhaps I appreciate this so much because many of my childhood and adolescent memories include great baking. Among the delicious treats my grandmother, mother, aunts, and uncles prepared, Amish Friendship Bread is still one of my favorites.
I remember asking my mom to bake this for me one day. She said she had to get a "starter" from grandma first. She also told me it takes ten days to prepare the batter. I was frustrated but also interested. I discovered the bread is called friendship bread because you need* to receive a starter from a friend to bake the bread. After receiving the starter and following the instructions for ten days, some of the batter is placed into bags. Usually a couple bags are given to friends and one is kept (so hungry teenagers can have more bread in ten days).
The heart behind this is great and can teach us about peace. One must receive the batter, cultivate the batter, share with others, and keep some for oneself. The fact that it takes time is also a good reminder that we will need patience as we pursue peace.
I have enjoyed many great foods through MANNAM so I thought I'd share one of my favorites today. Hope you enjoy.
I once had the opportunity to run with a few members of the MANNAM International Running Club. They were animated and encouraging. I look forward to being able to run with them again in the future. Until then I would like to share some thoughts I think they would appreciate.
Distance running and pursuing peace have a lot in common:
1. Starting is often the hardest part
I don't how many times I have been tempted to skip a run because I am tired or busy, but five minutes into the run end up thinking, "I cannot believe I almost didn't do this today."
The same is true with acts of kindness and steps towards peace. Laziness, tiredness, or busy-ness can make it tempting to save these things for later. But once I start, I have the same feeling as I do when I was running, "I cannot believe I almost didn't do this."
2. For better results and more joy, include others
I run incomparably better when I have at least one other person to train with. The people I run with seem to perform better too. I also have a lot more fun when others are involved. We can push each other through hard parts of a workout and share the sense of accomplishment.
Working or studying with others is also more productive and enjoyable.
3. Don't give up when you think you can't do anymore...You will discover you can do a lot more.
Getting a second wind is one of the greatest feelings when running. It is sad to see so many quit before they ever reach that point.
This is true not only in running but in so many things people want to achieve.
I love how Man Hee Lee has helped me and so many others discover these (and other) insights about sports, volunteering, and peace. He, through MANNAM, has made starting easy by organizing great and meaningful activities. The activities are generally team or group oriented; encouragement and positivity abound. Finally, whereas even young people get tired or discouraged, Mr. Lee shows us what is possible by travelling around the world rallying people for peace.
The quote above made me think about how actively members of MANNAM pursue peace. They are the type that "make it happen." Whereas some people lie around and simply imagine a world with peace one day, MANNAM members get out and make it happen. From cooking events to cleaning projects, from soccer tournaments to serving the elderly, from cultural performances to walks for peace, MANNAM is all about actions for peace.
What inspires such an action orientation? The answer is simple. MANNAM's Chairman, Man Hee Lee.
Even though he is over 80 years old, Mr. Lee travels the would and rallies people for peace. Instead of proudly looking over all he has accomplished up to this point and relaxing, he presses forward. Instead of simply wanting peace to happen, instead of merely wishing peace would happen, Mr. Lee is making it happen. MANNAM members are inspired by this and strive to do the same.
The Shrine Peace Monument located in Exhibition Place on Toronto’s lakeshore, faces southerly toward the United States and the Niagara River (part of the border between Ontario and the New York state) for a reason. Dedicated to more than a century of peaceful relationsbetween Canada and the United States, the bronze monument was offered by the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic, in June 1930. Twenty-eight years later a fountain and gardens were added and the statue was more beautiful than ever, enforcing the cause of peace.
This is a powerful picture. My last post was about soldiers for peace. The angel at the Shrine Peace Monument looks strong. It looks like a representation of one who would certainly be capable of fighting, but focuses efforts on enforcing the cause of peace.
The quote in the title comes from Gandhi. This quote is simple, but the more I think about it the more profound I find it. What do soldiers do? They train, they make strategy, they cooperate, they put the good of others' before their own good, they sweat, they bleed, they serve.
Man Hee Lee, the honorary chairman of MANNAN, has done all of the things above (and more) in the name of peace. This is one of the reasons I am proud to be a member of MANNAM and so excited about how MANNAM will be used to bring peace to the world.
Please join us as soldier of service and fighters for peace.
The video below tells a great story: people whose lives have been brightened through MANNAM then brighten the lives of those around them. What a beautiful cycle!
Today I want to share an inspiring quote by Mother Teresa:
“I never look at the masses as my responsibility; I look at the individual. I can only love one person at a time - just one, one, one. So you begin. I began - I picked up one person. Maybe if I didn't pick up that one person, I wouldn't have picked up forty-two thousand....The same thing goes for you, the same thing in your family, the same thing in your church, your community. Just begin - one, one, one.”
If looking at all the people in the world that need help overwhelms you, don't focus on that. Help one person today. In a few months, you might be surprised by the difference you have made.
During the Okinawa Battle of World War II more than 200,000 people lost their lives. The picture shows a part of Peace Memorial Park called the Cornerstone of Peace. The names of everyone who died in the battle are carved into the walls. How tragic that so many had to lose their lives. And how impressive that the response was to create a memorial that inspires peace.
The picture shows a broad road leading towards the Cornerstone of Peace. But, roads can be traveled on in either direction. People can walk toward this or they can walk away from it. Likewise, we have numerous choices in which we can step away from or step toward peace. Let's remember those who have fallen as a result of war and take step toward peace.
This song is about peace and becoming one. The inspiring lyrics are below.
Hand in hand we stand
All across the land
We can make this world a better place in which to live
Hand in hand we can!
Start to understand
Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time
All the time
Breaking down the walls between us
Hand in hand
Breaking down the walls
Everytime we give it all
We feel the flame eternally inside us
Lift our hands up to the sky
The morning calm helps us to live in harmony
For all time
MANNAM also spreads service and love. It is an organization that encourages people to work and play hand in hand. As people interact with and help each other, they understand and appreciate each other; walls of separation are broken down.
This is a beautiful song that MANNAM is making a reality.
"It's not the will to win that matters- everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
- Bear Bryant (legendary college football coach)
There is a big difference between saying you desire world peace and actually doing something to promote it. MANNAM Victory Cup promotes peace through various sporting competitions throughout South Korea. The sporting events draw athletes and fans from numerous countries. Although many of the athletes speak different languages, they are able to communicate through the international language of sports. Cultural bridges are built as the athletes of various nationalities compete and cooperate.
Friendships and positive feelings planted through MANNAM Victory Cup will grow into peaceful international interactions and policies. MANNAN does not merely desire world peace, it drives it.
The food in the picture looks simple enough, but it was part of a special day. Members of MANNAM opened their home to me and several international friends. We all made song-pyun 송편 (a sweet rice-based traditional snack) and fried pumpkin and sweet potatoes 고구마 & 호박 튀김. The snacks were sweet and oily, so the host served savory baked chicken as well. The food was great, but what made the evening special was the interaction and conversations. People from five different countries talked in four different languages as they shaped the song-pyun and fried the vegetables. People patiently broke through languages barriers to share stories about themselves and their countries. As one guy was leaving, one of his new friends invited him to play soccer together tomorrow. The two guys were only able to communicate through a translator, but they expressed warmth through facial expressions and gestures. They seemed excited to get together again in the future. Interactions like the one described above are steps toward peace. Being able to put a friendly face with an otherwise disconnected country goes a long ways. That interaction was possible thanks to MANNAM. I am always glad to be a part of stuff like that (and enjoy a nice meal in the process).
Sometimes I like to look at what happened on a given day in history. It is a good excuse to take a look back and see how society has progressed (and regressed). Exactly 220 years ago today, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol. This building "symbolizes the will & strength of the American people and the principles of modern democracy". I wonder if people realized the U.S. Capitol would mean all that it means today, 220 years later.
As I think about this act, I am reminded of another historic event that I was privileged to be a part of just over a year ago. On September 16, 2012 I was saw Man Hee Lee and members of MANNAM lay a cornerstone for world peace. That day was the World Peace Festival, Culture and Sports Celebration of Restoring Light. This event portrays the will and strength of Mr. Lee and members of Mannam, as well as the promise of world peace.
Without
regards to nationalities, religion, or status in society, 500 celebrities from
Korea as well as abroad, 50 broadcasting companies from 20 nations, and
approximately 200,000 people from all over the world gathered at the Seoul Jamsil
Olympic Stadium. The torch flames were
lit for the first time since South Korea hosted the 24th Olympic
Games on September 17.
This festival the commencement of the world peace movement to the
world. Just as it is
mentioned in Mannam's motto, "When light meets light, there is
victory," and just as the heavens give light, rain, and air to all without
cost, Mannam desires to shed light into the dark parts of the world so that
world peace and restoration become a reality.
The
unveiling ceremony of the WPI (World Peace
Initiative) monument also took place at the festival. The monument was made up of 8,000 people’s
messages of hope for world peace and restoration of light.
For the closing ceremony, performances of light
were consecutively followed with the message of everyone becoming delegations
of world peace and meeting the light of Mannam to light up the darkened world
and overcome.
The laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol was a significant day in history. I am confident that in years to come people will look back on the World Peace Festival, Culture and Sports Celebration of Restoring Light as a cornerstone of the world peace the festival and those involved are ushering in.
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